Can someone explain HS winter track like I'm 5?

[Anonymous]

9th grader is begging to do it with friends. She plays a fall/spring sport but not winter. I was SO looking forward to a low key winter and I really don't feel like dealing with this. I know every school is different but can anyone explain roughly how practices and meets typically work? I want to know what I'm agreeing (or refusing) to do.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

At our MCPS school, practice is after school M-F. Practice is outdoors, so it is sometimes cancelled for weather.

There are not a ton of meets, and they’re all big, multi-school affairs with many events. Meets last for hours, but only the fastest kids attend; they’re limited entry. Many kids never run in a meet.

Since there aren’t a ton of winter sports, plenty of non-track kids do winter track as a way to keep in shape between fall and spring seasons of their other sports.

[Anonymous]

I can’t imagine saying say no to my child participating in a high school sport other than for health reasons.

[Anonymous]

FCPS school- practice is every day after school until 530.

Meets depend on athletic ability. If you are fast- meets are on Saturdays and are a several hour affair. If you are not fast- meets are on Wednesday evening or not at all.

Also, there are two meets over the holiday break- one being on Dec 26th at 8am in PG County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS school- practice is every day after school until 530.

Meets depend on athletic ability. If you are fast- meets are on Saturdays and are a several hour affair. If you are not fast- meets are on Wednesday evening or not at all.

Also, there are two meets over the holiday break- one being on Dec 26th at 8am in PG County.

I'm seeing M&D Winter Showcase on Dec 23 and Bullseye Ice Box on Dec 29.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS school- practice is every day after school until 530.

Meets depend on athletic ability. If you are fast- meets are on Saturdays and are a several hour affair. If you are not fast- meets are on Wednesday evening or not at all.

Also, there are two meets over the holiday break- one being on Dec 26th at 8am in PG County.

I'm seeing M&D Winter Showcase on Dec 23 and Bullseye Ice Box on Dec 29.

Well then that's a nope from me. Been pushing my kid to do this as they are very fast, but not giving up winter vacation for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS school- practice is every day after school until 530.

Meets depend on athletic ability. If you are fast- meets are on Saturdays and are a several hour affair. If you are not fast- meets are on Wednesday evening or not at all.

Also, there are two meets over the holiday break- one being on Dec 26th at 8am in PG County.

I'm seeing M&D Winter Showcase on Dec 23 and Bullseye Ice Box on Dec 29.

Well then that's a nope from me. Been pushing my kid to do this as they are very fast, but not giving up winter vacation for it.

At our school those Christmastime meets are sort of optional, and many of the athletes can make at least one of the two events.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all. Is the kind of thing where DD can occasionally skip practice if needed (due to schoolwork, etc) if she doesn’t expect to be among the fastest runners anyway? She is a decently fast runner but really just wants to be with her friends after school. They all played field hockey this fall and she felt left out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. Is the kind of thing where DD can occasionally skip practice if needed (due to schoolwork, etc) if she doesn’t expect to be among the fastest runners anyway? She is a decently fast runner but really just wants to be with her friends after school. They all played field hockey this fall and she felt left out.

Most coaches won’t say that it’s okay to skip practice when you feel like it because it’s their sport and important to them. If But, track has a big roster. If your child isn’t committed, she can probably get away with it. The coaches will just direct their attention elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Our coach doesn't allow missed practices. Commit or don't seems to be the mantra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. Is the kind of thing where DD can occasionally skip practice if needed (due to schoolwork, etc) if she doesn’t expect to be among the fastest runners anyway? She is a decently fast runner but really just wants to be with her friends after school. They all played field hockey this fall and she felt left out.

FCPS parent here. If you miss practice without a good excuse you are off the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. Is the kind of thing where DD can occasionally skip practice if needed (due to schoolwork, etc) if she doesn’t expect to be among the fastest runners anyway? She is a decently fast runner but really just wants to be with her friends after school. They all played field hockey this fall and she felt left out.

FCPS parent here. If you miss practice without a good excuse you are off the team.

Not our FCPS experience at ALL for a JV runner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. Is the kind of thing where DD can occasionally skip practice if needed (due to schoolwork, etc) if she doesn’t expect to be among the fastest runners anyway? She is a decently fast runner but really just wants to be with her friends after school. They all played field hockey this fall and she felt left out.

FCPS parent here. If you miss practice without a good excuse you are off the team.

And a large test or project is not a good excuse? These are STUDENT athletes.

[Anonymous]

Practice ends at 530 so they have plenty of time to do school work

[Anonymous]

There are limited indoor arenas so meets can be a distance. Sometimes they use outdoor venues.